Feted by both the Royals and contemporary art collectors all over the world, acclaimed artist Jeremy Houghton is exhibiting in North Yorkshire, a landscape that he loves, as he tells Ruth Campbell

Although he was always expected to follow his father into a career in law, Jeremy Houghton had other ideas. Having known since primary school that he wanted to be an artist, he adapted an old camper van as his mobile studio and, while taking his law degree, would paint during every free moment. He has been painting ever since.

"It is just something within me. Even now, if I don't get the chance to paint during the day, I get very frustrated and pent-up, overflowing with creativity. You have got to get it out of your system."

Jeremy's vivid creations, including colourful, abstract oils of birds in flight and a series of nostalgic, monochromatic studies marking 100 years of Ponies at War, will soon be on display at The Garden Rooms at Tennants Auction Centre in Leyburn, one of a series of prestigious exhibitions at the newly expanded venue.

When he chose to turn his back on a conventional and secure career, Jeremy wasn't to know where his love of art would lead. But that old camper van set him off on a journey that has resulted in a series of illustrious commissions including painting a portrait of the Queen. He is currently the Queen's artist-in-residence at Windsor Castle and last year was employed in the same role by Prince Charles at Highgrove, where he produced around 40 paintings.

He was also one of the official artists for the London Olympics in 2012, capturing some of the nation's top athletes, including Victoria Pendleton and Ben Ainslie, in action during training and behind-the-scenes, and has worked as official artist for London Fashion Week.

His paintings now sell for between 1,200 and 15,000 and Art Investor magazine has marked him out as someone with a fascinating future, advising: "For collectors looking for art as an asset, we strongly recommend his name."

Although Jeremy originally set out merely to follow his passion, studying at London's Slade School of Art and initially teaching art at the International School in Cape Town to fund his love of painting, it wasn't long before he was so commercially successful he was able to make art his full-time career.

He now works from a studio in a converted barn at his parents' home in the Cotswolds, close to the cottage where he lives with his wife Jessica and daughters Honey, four, and Martha, two. He exhibits his paintings in leading galleries all over the world, including Delhi, Amsterdam, Johannesburg and at the Saatchi Gallery in London.

Having previously exhibited at Helmsley's Duncombe Park and at Grassington Arts Festival, North Yorkshire is a part of the country he loves.

"It is so beautiful, more remote than the Cotswolds, where I come from, and quite gritty," he says. "While Cotswold stone cottages can look quite chocolate boxy, I love the working landscape of Yorkshire. It is more about natural beauty. I love the heritage and history of the place and am really looking forward to coming. It is very exciting."

Dales folk will no doubt particularly enjoy his equine studies, timeless monochrome scenes which are produced in reverse to look like old photographic negatives.

Based on images from previously unseen photographs, Jeremy uses masking fluid and a fine brush to block out all the areas of the picture he wants to keep white, then applies colour washes on top. Random paint splashes add a dynamic, contemporary feel, an exercise in tone and form. "It's about movement and light," he explains.

By eliminating all the details he doesn't want, he can focus on the negative spaces. "The white areas, the blank paper, are the most important bits."

A keen rider himself, his love and knowledge of the animal has enabled him capture something of the unique relationship between man and horse, a recurring theme in his work. At Windsor, he is working on a series of paintings which reflect life at the castle through the eyes of the horses which live and work there.

"It helps when I am painting them that I have grown up surrounded by horses and riding them. It helps me understand them better," he explains.

Versatile and bold, Jeremy is not afraid to try out something new and is constantly experimenting with alternative styles and approaches. One series of work was executed solely in Biro. "You can't make a single mistake and Biros blob after a while, but I wanted to do something no-one else was doing," he says.

He used plastic for another group of paintings to create 3D pieces. "You have got to keep challenging yourself, to take yourself out of your comfort zone. I like being different," he adds.

At Leyburn, Jeremy has deliberately chosen to exhibit his brightly coloured birds in flight, as a contrast to the equine works with their limited palette of blues, greys and browns.

Full of light and colour, these oils are inspired by his time in South Africa. "They are very colourful paintings and will certainly lighten up the mood," he laughs.

During the school holidays and at weekends, he used to escape to paint the stunning landscape and wildlife of the surrounding area, travelling throughout Namibia and Botswana. He tracked and painted flamingos, producing expressive, free form paintings to capture their movement, shape and flamboyant nature. "I was fascinated by the flash of colour in the distance as they flew. They were like a shimmering mirage in the horizon and I kept coming back to the subject," he says. "When they fly over water, the reflection and refraction makes them even more interesting to study. The bird in flight is something which continues to inspire me."

Jeremy's influences include Picasso and Matisse, the Fauvists and Expressionists, people who "make their own footprints" and are constantly searching for something new. "I love oriental art too, the simplicity of the brush strokes," he says.

Next year, he will be starting work on a large installation project, with themes related to space and movement and involving audience participation. It is a far cry from the career he may have had, had he stuck to law. "I always wanted to be an artist, but my parents, understandably - like most parents do - thought their son should get a proper job," he laughs.

Interestingly, Jeremy was named after his great-grandfather, a landscape painter: "He was born on June 13, 1874, and I was born on the same date in 1974. I have some of his paintings and they are full of colour."

Jeremy's daughter Honey might even end up following in her father's and great-great-grandfather's footsteps. "She sees me painting every day and wants to copy everything I do," he says.

And his parents are thrilled with his success: "Now my dad is my number one fan. They both really enjoy following my various projects."

Jeremy Houghton at Tennants, Leyburn, from Friday, October 31 to November 11. There will be a private view, tickets 10, attended by Jeremy on Oct 30, 6pm-8pm. Contact Julie Moody 01969-623780 for further details. www.tennants.co.uk